2 new top court judges elected in Hungary

Lawmakers on Tuesday elected two new judges to serve on the Constitutional Court in a secret ballot.

One of the new judges is Peter Polt, the outgoing chief public prosecutor, while the other is Csaba Hende, the departing deputy speaker of parliament in charge of legislation.

Polt, elected with 136 votes in favour and 13 against, will take up his post on June 10. Hende, approved with the same breakdown, will take office from June 1.

The top court are elected by parliament with a two-thirds majority of all lawmakers for a 12 year term. With the election of the two new constitutional court judges, the number of members of the body will increase to 14.

Polt and Hende were nominated by the co-ruling parties and parliament’s justice committee.

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